The Past Returns...

In The Last Chapter:

Nic fends off against the beast and manages to incapacitate it and obtain the Stone Plate in the process. He races back towards the inn and rests up with Erza and the two go and search for the hideout. They then face off against the Tartaros thugs. Things got insane when Nic went berserk and thrashed the head of the group and he and Charizard both dragged the bomb into the sky. They manage to live and survive, and they stopped Tartaros yet again. Nic and Erza both make it back to Fairy Tail and Loke confesses of his life as a Celestial Spirit. He then gives them tickets to a resort that they then were preparing for.

Chapter 14: The Past Returns...

Akane Resort was a fine place to relax and have fun. The sun was shining and the beaches were covered in nice soft sand, not to mention that it was a huge tourist attraction with its five star hotels and amusement park. This was truly a paradise worth going to.

Lucy and a motion sick Natsu were skiing along the water, as to where Happy was tap dancing on the hot sand. Gray and Erza were having a swell time swatting a beach ball back towards one another, and Nic was…sleeping.

After all of the Tartaros stuff, you would think that an extra day wouldn't hurt. Nic was lying on his back in black swim trunks with his sunglasses covering his eyes, sleeping ever so soundly under an umbrella and hearing the waves crash onto the shore.

"Heads up!" Gray then swatted the beach ball that was meant for Erza, but a wind blew it into another direction, more accurately towards a sound Multitype Mage, of whom does not take a beach ball to the face likely.

Gray and Erza both stood in shock while Nic slowly got up and held the beach ball tightly in both hands. He was the opposite of happy. If there was one thing Gray ever learned, is to never mess with Nic, even if it was by accident.

"I was sleeping!" He sounded, and he threw the beach ball at Gray at high speed that even the wind couldn't throw it off its course. Gray sailed far out to sea, coincidentally knocking Natsu and Lucy off of the board they were skiing on. They all then plummeted into the water and came up for air, where Natsu and Gray began to quarrel yet again.

Well, since he was up anyway, Nic might as well enjoy the exercise. He stretched just a bit and then started to tag along with the others and play a bit. It wasn't long before they all started running along the beach, where the sand was tickling Nic's feet with every step. Everyone was having a swell time and were laughing and smiling. Nic and Erza were running alongside one another, not giving a care to the world. The two saw each other smiling ever so freely and that made them both feel more than lighthearted, despite Nic's rude awakening.

The day went by faster than a Ninjask at max Speed. The sun was down before they knew it. They went into the hotel and they were all beginning to prepare for the casino…well, almost all.

Erza was dozing off with her arms crossed around her waist, still in her black bikini. She was lying back on a chair and watched the sun go down. 'Today was truly blissful…' She then started to dream of something that she really didn't want to go through again, and no, it wasn't a strawberry cheesecake famine, but something just as mind-scarring. Her dream was of her past and how she was on an island. There were numerous slaves in shackles, being tortured, forced to work, or drop to their knees and pray for their lives. She saw an old man taking a huge hit for her and being obliterated on the spot.

She opened her eyes wide and gasped loudly. She started breathing heavily and stared out, trying to calm herself.

Fortunately, Nic was inside and heard her loud gasp. "Erza!" Nic shouted. He darted out towards the balcony and accidentally slammed into the stool besides her, shattering the kettle and the glass of water. "Okay, ow." He then slowly got up and saw Erza still a little shaken, though he couldn't tell if it was from his fail or something else. "Hey, you okay?" He asked, very concerned for her.

Erza looked at him and stared down at her own hands. "I-I'm fine. It was just a dream. I must have fallen asleep." She was still looking kind of weary, a trait Nic picked up on. He could tell this dream was bothering her, but it should pass by. He really wanted to help, but now was a time of joy, not worry.

Nic held out a hand. "Come on, let's get you inside." He then grabbed Erza's hand and helped her up. She got to her feet and the two made their way inside the hotel room. Erza made her way towards the huge mirror and looked into it. She gazed at herself, taking a glimpse of herself in the bikini she was wearing, not to mention taking a few looks at Nic from the mirror. Nic had his back turned at the time as he was making his way towards the couch. Erza watched him pivot and fall onto his back and into the cushions, sighing in relief. She herself was smiling and beginning to see a very light blush.

Erza took one last look at herself and requipped into her Heart Kreuz Armor. She then looked at herself again, but with a more serious look. "I always feel more at ease wearing my armor; although, it's not the best wardrobe choice." She admitted out loud.

Nic got up and blink. "The heck you talking about? You look fine in your armor." He complimented. Erza turned towards him and smiled with sincerity.

"Your words are truly kind Nic." She said. The two then heard a door knock and they saw Lucy peek through the doorway. She had her hair done and she had on a nice red dress.

"Erza, Nic, get out of here and let's have some fun! There's games going on you know. Natsu and Gray are both waiting." She insisted.

"That's right. There's a casino here." Erza reminded herself. She then started to requip into a purple dress with a few red roses. She had on white gloves and her hair was in a bud. She then posed like a model. "So, how do I look?" She asked.

"A bit much, but whatever." Lucy said. As for Nic, he couldn't tell whether or not to die on the spot from exposure to a goddess or drop his jaw until it reached the core of the planet. Either was, he was speechless.

"Amazing." He said, almost acting that time when they had dinner on their mission from before. Erza turned and noticed he was gazing again, of which she didn't mind, she felt a slight blush rising up again from Nic's reaction.

"C'mon you two, let's go to the casino!" Lucy said one last time. Erza nodded and proceeded out. "Nic, you coming?" Lucy asked him. Nic crossed his arms and turned his back.

"Sorry, no can do." He firmly stated, opposing this idea. Lucy and Erza were a tad shocked by his response.

"What?" C'mon, don't be a party pooper!" Lucy insisted.

"Yeah, ain't gonna happen. I'm allergic to casinos, they make me bitter." Nic said, making an excuse, though he knew casinos just sucked people of their money, and he learned that because his parents went to a casino a lot and they lost a ton of money and used whatever money to feed Vanessa and not Nic sometimes, leaving him to uphold a very foul grudge against those places.

Lucy rolled her eyes. "Fine, but you're missing out. Later party pooper!" She then turned and left, but Erza went back in and walked up to Nic. He was gazing out at the sunset and he was as still as a Nosepass.

Erza watched him and she took another step forward. "Be back soon. Don't do anything crazy while we're out."

Nic turned his head. "No promises." Erza turned her head and then went out, leaving the door shut and leaving Nic alone. Too bad, she really wanted Nic to tag along, but if he really detests casinos, then it really can't be helped, she still has her friends who were waiting.

Nic looked back out towards the balcony and stared out again. "…I got a bad feeling in my gut…"

Akane Casino

Natsu was about to burst into flames when the machine scammed him of his number seventeen. When he thought he won, he yelled in joy, but when he lost, he almost trashed the machine.

"Come on seventeen I'll do anything!" He yelled, repeatedly smashing the machine. An employee had to restrain him, but to no avail as he was desperately wanting that number.

"Hey, you listen buddy." Someone said, catching Natsu's attention. His face was literally flat and he was nothing but shapes. His attire was a dark magenta hat, purple suit, a light yellow scarf, and a red tie. "Act like a grown up and hit the road. Or deal with me."

His appearance somewhat startled Natsu and Happy both.

"Blockhead?!" Natsu shouted.

"He's so square!" Happy shouted.

"Look buddy, you take two paths-." Suddenly, the man's body shined and his lower half morphed into blocks that restrained Natsu's arms and stuck him to the machine.

"Natsu!" Happy shouted.

The man then continued. "You can either live blissfully…" his arm then morphed into a rifle that aimed a red dot at Natsu's forehead, startling him. "…or die a poser. Now, where is Erza?" He demanded. Natsu then looked shocked. "Sing buddy!"

Then suddenly, it got dark.

"Hey! Who turned out the lights?!" Natsu shouted,

"Natsu, where are you?" Happy shouted.

"I'm right here! Wherever here is." He said.

"Goodnight buddy." The man said and fired a magic bullet at Natsu, of whom had his mouth open and yelling that he refused to be defeated and he was blasted into the machine.

"Natsu!" Happy screeched. The man then aimed the pistol at Happy and used a Sleep Bullet on him, knocking Happy out like a light.

"Millianna's gonna enjoy you kitty." He said.

With Gray

Gray was playing cards and then he heard someone coming up from his side. He looked and saw that it was Juvia. She was in an elegant blue dress and had a large Fairy Tail necklace around her neck, not to mention that she was staring with loving eyes at Gray.

"I'm Juvia. Do you remember me?" She asked shyly.

Gray was somewhat startled as he indeed remembered her. "Yeah, you're that Phantom chick from before!" He then took a quick look and noticed that she didn't pose a threat, so he walked on over towards a bar with Juvia attending from behind.

"I heard Phantom disbanded." He said.

"Yes, it was tough, but look, I'm a free Mage who can join whichever guild now!" Juvia said, keeping her spirits high.

"I see…" He said. He was a little creeped out by her, but could tell that she wanted to be part of Fairy Tail. "…and I take it you want to be part of Fairy Tail, yes?"

"Oh yes, very much so." She said with hope. Gray shrugged it off and looked ahead.

"I don't mind, but let's hope Gramps is forgiving."

Juvia then had big sparkling eyes and clasped her hands together. "I promise I'll do anything!" They then turned as a tall and bulky man approached from behind. He had a large fabric wrapped around his head. He had an eyepatch, one green sleeve, a long clothing with multiple red marks that looked like axes.

"Gray Fullbuster." He said, and then a periwinkle seal appeared on his eye and the entire bar crashed and exploded.

Everyone around was panicking and started to exit. When the dust cleared, Juvia was seen lying among the rubble and Gray was up and shocked. "Juvia!" He then turned towards the mysterious man. "What's the big idea buddy?"

"Where is Erza?" he asked. You could easily tell that he was dead serious and wasn't fooling about.

"Erza? Why would I tell you buddy?" He said. Just then, he stepped back and saw water forming in front of him. The water morphed into a now recovered Juvia with her arms out.

"You won't even lay a finger on my beloved!" She proclaimed. "You'll have to go through me first!"

"Juvia." Gray said. She then turned to have a very serious look in her eyes.

"Erza is in danger if he's after her. She needs our help." She said. Gray then turned towards the enemy.

"Yeah." Gray then got in a defensive stance as did Juvia in preparations for their enemy.

The enemy then held up two fingers to his head, as though he was contacting someone. They both reeled back as he was getting a message. "Ah yes, you've located her." The two then were very shocked to hear their friend was spotted. They had to hurry, but they didn't get a chance. His eye then turned red and the lights went out.

Gray and Juvia both looked around, unable to see anything. "What gives?" Gray demanded. The man then disappeared.

"Dark Moment." He announced. He reappeared behind the two and prepared a large periwinkle seal.

With Lucy and Erza

"Wow! A straight!" Lucy said, amazed that Erza actually won.

Erza then struck a pose. "Looks like today is my lucky day." She said. Lots of people were very impressed that Erza actually won and was a decent gambler. "I have a feeling that I'm just getting started."

The dealer there then swapped places and a dark sinned individual with blonde hair. He shuffled the cards and smirked. "Oh really, then let's raise the stakes a bit this time." He said. He then handed out cards with black and white and letters on them that were shown to be spelled as 'DEATH'. This somewhat surprised Erza as she looked up to see this individual who handed out the cards. When she did, she was wide yed and almost forgot how to breathe.

"I-It can't be…Sho?" Erza said in shock. "Is that you? You're-you're alive." She was almost quivering at the mouth.

Sho then leaned back up. "It's been forever Erza."

Lucy noticed Erza was almost shaking in her seat. It was clear this guy meant something of sorts to her. "You know him?" Just then, the lights went out and they were in darkness. It wasn't even ten seconds later that they heard something like a pistol firing. "A gunshot?"

"What's going on here?" Erza demanded to know. The lights then flashed back on, startling the two and they turned about and saw that the people in the room had disappeared. They turned about, but didn't see them.

"I'm right here sister." Sho said, dropping cards that had screaming people inside. It was all of the people that were in the room. Sho had somehow turned them into cards and encased them.

"Oh no!" Erza said. "You use Magic?"

"You bet, you're not the only one with powers anymore." He said, tossing a card to the ground with a guy in a cat costume. Then out of the blue, they all heard a meow and a seal appeared under Lucy. An orange whip of sorts then entangled her body, restraining her movements.

"Lucy!" Erza shouted. A young woman then appeared behind Lucy. She had a few feline qualities, like red marks on her face for whiskers and had her hair have ears for some reason. She had on a yellow jacket with a pink shirt underneath with light blue kitty prints.

"Well aren't you a rosy." She said. By the looks on Erza's face, she was shocked to see her as well.

"Millianna? You too?" She exclaimed. She then had to think. "Let Lucy go Millianna. She's a friend of mine."

She didn't look at all fazed by Erza, and she simply meowed. "Meow. A friend huh?" She said.

Sho then chuckled. "We used to be friends Erza, remember?" Erza turned and grunted at the memories that they were indeed friends, really good friends. Lucy caught on to what they were saying.

'Are they really friends?' Lucy thought as she was entangled and failed to break free.

Sho then continued. "Remember? And then you -!" He was then caught off when a loud crash came through the ceiling and broke a table from a fair distance. The whole party shifted their undivided attention towards the broken scene and they all saw a figure emerge from the dust and rubble.

It was Nic, and he wasn't looking too thrilled.

Erza and Lucy both stepped back as Nic came to the rescue. "Nic!" Both Erza and Lucy said, one after the other.

"Oh? Another friend of yours?" Sho asked with a sick gaze. He shifted his body and took a good look at Nic. Nic stepped forward from the rubble and cracked his knuckles.

"I thought something felt funny, so I hanged about until I heard some shouting and people exiting the place." Nic said, stating his reason why he didn't go.

"Meow. You look like a fun kitty to play with." Millianna said.

"Easy Millianna, we're here for sister, remember?" Sho reminded her. Erza grunted and wasn't sure how to handle the situation. She couldn't fight her old friends, but she had to save Lucy. Her mind was just too clogged up to even make a decision. The only hope at this time was Nic.

"Well now, looks like we got ourselves a tough guy." They all heard a voice and the shaped man appeared right beside Sho. His presence startled Erza again.

"Wally?" She said.

"A blockhead?!" Lucy exclaimed and then fell down as the ropes bind her tighter and tighter.

"I see the outside has been treating you well; of course, we've been doing some Magic of our own Erza." Wally explained.

"Indeed." They heard another voice from behind Erza. She tensed up as she somehow recognized it. A dark mist surrounded the air behind her and formed a tall masked man. "It's pretty easy to deal with."

"Simon!" Erza exclaimed, turning and stepping back. All of her old friends were there now, and she wasn't at all comfortable with the situation.

"Erza, who are these people?!" Lucy shouted.

Erza took in a quick breath and looked. "We all grew up together." She said. "This was before I joined Fairy Tail when I was a little girl…tell me, what do you want?!" Erza said and wanted to know. Nic was getting ready if the situation called for it as he was ready to shift into a Plate at any given moment.

Wally then tipped his hat forward. "We're here to take you back with us babe." He said. Erza stepped back in shock that she was going to have to go back, but even more shocked when Wally aimed a Polygon Pistol at Lucy's head. Lucy almost flipped and Erza was in a tight spot.

"I'm begging you Wally, let her go!" Wally then started to gear up to fire. "Please Wally stop!"

Wally then shifted the pistol towards Erza and was able to shoot her, but Wally was slugged in the face with a quick Sucker Punch and the shot missed by a foot to her left. Wally reeled towards his left and smashed into a table.

Nic held up a fist and looked at the other three. "Seems you guys forgot about me." Nic got into a fighting stance and readied for and attack if it dared came his way.

"Well now, it seems we have to deal with you first." Simon said.

Erza's heart stopped when they were going to take on Nic. "Nic, don't!" She shouted. Nic looked back at Erza, seeing her panicking.

"Erza, we need to save Lucy. Try and cut those binds while I deal with these posers." Nic said. Erza was in no position to argue at all. "I'll handle these guys, you just work on getting Lucy free." Erza then just looked on as Nic then went and confronted Wally and his accomplices.

"We have no interest in you. If you insist on being a pest, then we shall dispose of you as we did of your friends." Simon said. Nic raised a brow, thinking of what he was saying.

"So, you guys got past Natsu and Gray?" He asked as calm as he could.

"Yeah, your little posy isn't all that it's cracked up to be, so we made it quick and painless." Wally said, slowly getting back up, but was shot back down in a flash with an insanely fast Dark Pulse.

"Don't you dare them weak! You guys have me to deal with!" Nic proclaimed. Wally laid in the rubble once more, struggling to even find his feet, leaving Millianna, Sho, and Simon.

"So be it." Simon said. "Dark Moment." His eye then flashed red and everything went pitch black. Erza looked to see the light vanished again as she was struggling to untangle Lucy. "You shall not see with this spell. My allies shall remain at an advantage and you will be left to suffer." He and Sho and Millianna all then started to close in on Nic, of whom they thought couldn't see. Big mistake.

"Alright, I'll play hide-and-seek." Nic said with a deadly smirk. He then instantly disappeared out of their sight, much to the latter's shock.

"Hey, wh-where'd he go?" Sho asked, turning his head. Simon tried to pick up on him with his Darkness Magic skills, but was too slow as Nic struck him with an uppercut from his Feint Attack.

"Assurance!" Nic then leaped over Somin as he was falling backwards and gave him a menacing stomp to his chest, sending him into the casino ground with a loud crash sound thanks to the increased damage of Assurance.

"Oh no, Simon!" Millianna shouted. The Dark Moment then quickly faded as Simon was hit. Millianna wasn't gonna take this. "You big meanie! Nekosoku Tube!" A Magic purple seal then formed in front of her and out came an orange tube that was identical to the one that was restraining Lucy.

Nic turned and saw the tube spiraling about and restraining his right wrist. He turned his body and saw Millianna looking at him like he was a mouse. "Meow, this Magic will keep you from using yours, so no more playing dirty you big meanie-!" He was stopped in mid-sentence when Nic's arms were glowing black with red outlines. He easily slashed through the tube with ease and he flew right into Millianna, slashing across and posing behind her as she meowed really loud and fell on her right side.

Sho was wide eyed when he saw Millianna's Magic proving ineffective. He stepped back as he saw Nic turn and glare angrily at him. "It can't be! Millianna's Magic always worked!" He stated.

Nic stepped forward and Sho hesitated to bring out a card as his friends were slowly getting up. "Yeah? Well now it has. Look pal, just what exactly do you want with Erza?"

Sho then smirked and his face looked rather sinful. "Heh, like we would tell an outsider like you anything."

"Easy Sho." Simon said, now back onto his feet. "If memory serves me correctly, then he must be the one that we keep hearing about."

Sho then looked in shock of what Simon stated. "Y-you're saying…" he turned and looked at Nic. "…he's the great Luminous? The one who defeated a few demons and a Wizard Saint?!"

Simon then stepped forward next towards Sho's side. "That is correct. He's more stubborn than he looks from what I've heard. We can't win with an up-front approach. Wally!"

Nic and the others then turned towards Wally, who was aiming a Polygon Pistol at Erza just as she was freeing Lucy. She got up and flinched at the sight of her being pointed at by a gun.

Wally smirked as he was sitting up from the rubble. "Goodnight doll face." He then fired and Erza thought she was done for. She had no time to react as she thought she was hit. She closed her eyes for a split second and awaited impact, but didn't feel a thing for some reason.

She opened her eyes and was horrified by what she saw-Nic actually took a bullet for her. He jumped in just in time. A Magic seal was in front of his abdomen, the part where he took the hit. Erza and Lucy both looked on and gasped when Nic gagged and got to a knee.

"NIC!" Erza and Lucy yelled. Nic was panting heavily from the hit. He turned back and covered his abdomen and continued to exhale and inhaled while on a knee.

Wally then got up from the rubble and armed himself again. "Well now, you were right Simon, he ain't no pushover. Even my Sleep Bullet didn't knock him out." He then raised a brow. "Though I guess he does look rather drowsy."

Nic was starting to sway a bit towards both sides, and add the fact everything was starting to go hazy. He could only grunt as he had trouble getting up from the one knee. Erza was shaking on the spot as Nic and Lucy were both incapacitated. She was about to react fast to the situation, but she somehow couldn't find the will to strike against her old comrades.

"Now Erzy-werzy, don't fuss like a bad kitty." Millianna insisted as she made a Magic circle under her and now entangled Erza. Erza grunted and then fell towards the ground. The binds continued to tighten just a bit and she couldn't use her Magic to help her, leaving her in her dress.

Simon then went over to retrieve and held her bridal style. "We've captured our target. Let's go home." He said.

"ERZA! NIC! SOMEBODY!" Lucy yelled. Nic could hear, but everything was beginning to fade. He couldn't even do squat when Millianna tightened up Lucy's binds.

"Meow, you'll be all twisted up in five minutes." She said.

Wally then walked up towards her. "Hey Millianna, I got ya a little souvenir." He said. Millianna looked on in curiosity as Wally revealed Happy, of whom was still knocked out from earlier. When she saw Happy, she almost flipped out.

"MEOW! A wittle kitty-witty of my own!" She shouted. She yanked Happy and threw him into the air, petted him, and hugged him.

"Alright guys, we need to get moving." Simon said. Millianna meowed once more and moved with Happy over to where Simon and the others were. Erza failed to fight back as she was being restrained.

"Guys, stop this! Let them go now!" She pleaded, but they didn't listen. She could only watch as Nic and Lucy were stuck in their spots and she only shed a very small tear, "Lucy, Nic. I'm so sorry." She quietly said.

Sho then turned towards her. "Sister, I can't believe you're coming home with us to the Tower of Heaven." He said with tears of joy in his eyes. "Jellal will be happy to see you."

They all then turned and Simon now had Erza over his shoulder and walking away. Nic wasn't taking this very well. "Erza! Happy!" He growled. His sight was still rather hazy, but he could still see the enemy from his distance. He had to at least get to them before he toppled over. With whatever strength and will he had, Nic got his other foot under him and wobbled towards his left, using the momentum to speed his way towards his enemies. He finally zoomed in close enough when a rainbow Magic circle appeared above them. Nic finally toppled over at their feet and they didn't notice until they all started to teleport, along with Nic for being under the circle.

"Nic! Erza!" Lucy shouted as they were both teleported away. She was now alone; well, exclude the people trapped in cards that is. "They're both gone…" She then tried to struggle as hard as she could to get out of her binding, but ended up rolling on the floor continuously. "I swear when I get out of here, I'm gonna…!" She didn't finish her sentence because she continued onward with her struggling.

Her keys then fell out of her dress right besides her. She then figured that Cancer could get her out of her tight situation. It was worth a shot at least. She then swiveled so that her hands could reach and grab her keys. "Here goes nothing. Open: Gate of the Giant Crab – Cancer!" She waited until Cancer appeared, but nothing happened. "Uh, okay, Cancr?! Come on!" She panicked. "Fine, Taurus? Loke? Virgo?..." She then recalled that Milliana stating something earlier that she didn't take into account for. "…Oh right. She said Magic doesn't work with this thing on." She then continue to struggle a bit and then she felt a sharp poke along her arm.

"Ow!" Lucy shouted. She then looked downwards and saw that it was a man in a cat costume with a pocket knife.

"Oh, sorry about that!" He shouted.

"Hey, did you poke me?" Lucy asked, rather curious.

"Yes indeed, I had a pocket knife and I thought I could cut my way out of this thing." He innocently stated.

"Wait, even though he was inside the card, I could still feel it." She said. With a theory now hatching, she lowered her head and was now in front of the card with man in the costume. "Sir, I may be wrong, but I think objects on your side might be able to break through them!" Lucy stated, shocking the latter.

"Really? When I do this, does it look like the knife if sticking out?" He then proceeded to poke the card and to Lucy it was flat.

Lucy shook her head, but had no doubt. "No it looks flat, but if I felt it, then it has to have some kind of affect outside!" She then rolled over with her rope now on top of the card. "Do me a favor, can you try and cut through this rope?"

"I'll give it a shot!" He said, and then he went ahead and started to poke away like he did before. People in the other cards were rooting for him to not give up, of which he continued to help and try cutting the struggling Lucy. In about ten seconds, she was finally out and free.

"You did it!" Lucy shouted as the rope vanished into nothing. People inside the cards cheered as the man has done good. Lucy turned and picked up his card. "Thank you so much. I owe ya one!" She then dropped his card and started running towards the door. "I'll go get help!" She shouted.

Lucy was now running about and was making her way towards Natsu and Gray. 'I hope they're both alright! I hope they were wrong!' She then finally made it to where Gray was down and in front of the shattered bar. "Gray, what happened?!" She shouted, running towards him. She knelt down to see him out cold. "Snap out of it Gray! Wake up!" She had a hand on his shoulder and felt that he was cold alright.

She nudged him and tried to wake him up, but then the next thing she saw was him turning into slid ice and shattering on the spot, making Lucy scream and panic like there was no tomorrow. Lucy shrieked and then jumbled his pieces together, or at least tried. "I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'll put you back together!"

She then had his pieces back together into a freaky sculpture, with his legs now on the top, and his torso now on his head, which was on his own behind, which connected to his arms. Lucy almost went pale, thinking she killed him. She looked away so that she didn't have to see him shatter once more.

"Relax, no need to panic." A feminine voice said. Within the broken bar, water began to merge and then it morphed into a serious looking Juvia.

Lucy stepped back in remembrance of her, of whom was the one who tried to kidnap her. "I remember you! You tried to take me hostage!" She boasted.

"Wait!" A voice said. Gray then appeared under the water under Juvia and Lucy gasped. "She's not our enemy anymore.

"Yes, I pulled Gray inside of me to protect him." Juvia said.

Lucy sweat dropped. "Okay, that's weird."

Juvia then got all up in her face his a triumphant grin. "Are you jealous he was inside me and not you?!"

Lucy then made an even bigger sweat drop. "Uh no."

Gray then yanked off his tie and started to unbutton his shirt. "I created an Ice Clone so that it would buy me some time while this dude casted a Darkness Spell." He explained.

"I used my Water Lock to keep the real Gray safe until the coast was clear." Juvia added. Then then finally took off his shirt (not surprisingly) and looked at Juvia.

"Yeah, and he got away because of you." He said, shocking and shaming Juvia. He then turned towards Lucy. "Now, where's everyone else?" He asked with his arms crossed.

"No, and the situation just got worse. They took Happy and Erza, and Nic as well!" Lucy said.

A huge mountain of fire then erupted from a machine and they all heard a roar that was bellowing below. Natsu was up and screaming at the heavens.

"Natsu?!" Lucy and Gray exclaimed. Natsu then coughed loudly and his mouth was steaming about. They all ran up to him and he turned towards them.

"Natsu, what happened?" Lucy asked.

"That guy shot me in the mouth!" He said with anger and pain. "Who does that? I mean, someone could get hurt." He said. Lucy, Gray, and Juvia all slumped forward at the irony.

"Uh, that could kill anyone who isn't a weirdo like you." Lucy sighed.

"I would most likely agree." Juvia said. Natsu then was steaming mad as the pain began to subside and he was tick marks all over his face.

"I'll show that guy! That blockhead is gonna pay!" Natsu shouted, running out of the casino and leaving a dust trail behind. The guy then stepped forward and watched him go.

"Uh wait, does he even know where they went anyway?" Lucy asked.

"Natsu has a nose that can put any animal with a keen sense of smell to shame." Gray noted.

Natsu then stormed out and onto the beach, tracking Wally's scent. "I'M COMING FOR YOU BLOCKHEAD!"

Meanwhile, on a ship…

The boat was sailing along the rough waters, not even shifting off its course. Inside, Erza was tied up against a pillar with Milliana's Binding Magic. She started to come about and opened her gaze towards her surroundings. She could tell there were crates all about.

"Where am I?" Erza asked out loud. She looked towards her left and saw that Nic was out like a light and curled up next to a nearby crate. "Nic!" She shouted, but she didn't even see him budge. He was fast asleep.

"Don't worry about him. He's just laying down longer because he was resisting Wally's Sleep Bullets." Sho said, walking forwards and in front of Erza. "As for your location, we're out at sea in a ship." He explained.

Erza was stunned. "A ship?"

Sho nodded. "Yes, and we're heading back towards the Tower of Heaven." He said. Erza looked on at Sho. She then slowly dropped her head down as she couldn't do much of anything,

"I see. I should've guessed it." She said. She then looked over at Nic and he still wasn't budging. He overdid it this time. Sho looked and saw that Erza was looking over towards Nic with deeply concerned eyes, of which he really didn't appreciate.

"You know.' He said. "Personally, I wanted to toss him overboard, but the other said no." Erza almost let a growl escape her, deeply hurt that Sho would say something like that. Still, she couldn't fight back.

"Sho." Erza asked. "Could you untie me? I won't do anything, I swear." She was being truthful to her word, even Sho saw this, but he couldn't.

"You're untrustworthy, I can't let you." Sho said. Erza then tried to break free of her bind, but still couldn't do anything. "Don't bother. Remember? Millianna's Binding Magic conceals Magic. Your efforts are in vain."

Erza then stopped and looked with saddened eyes and dropped her head in defeat. "Fine, but please." She begged. "Allow me to requip into my armor. I don't feel secure…I can't…I'm afraid…I need my armor." She admitted. "I wanna feel safe."

Sho then smiled and looked down on her. "But you look beautiful with that dress." He said. He paused and knelt down and gave Erza a long hug, somewhat shocking her. "I didn't want to do this. I really didn't." He then started to tear up. Erza could see he didn't change much in regards to his sensitivity. "I missed you so much…it hurts." He sobbed.

Erza felt a little sorry that she did go, leaving them all behind. She felt some shame in leaving such innocent family members in the hands of Jellal.

"Tell me…" He asked, pulling away. "Why…Why did you betray Jellal?!" He yelled in front of her face, shocking her. She stayed frozen and then slowly began to ease herself from his sudden outburst.

'Jellal…' she remembered.

Later, in Era…

You could say some time has passed since the casino brawl. It was sunrise and the Magic Council had already found out about the crisis. They dispatched Rune Nights to investigate the casino and the people inside the cards. Fortunately, they were all taken care of and had gotten out of their trap. One of them did mention something about the Tower of Heaven, which provoked worry amongst the Council members.

They had an immediate meeting in regards to the situation at hand. They all appeared on a large Magic circle, with all nine accounted for and arguing how to go about this matter.

"Are you saying the tower is still standing?" A Council member said. "Impossible!"

"A decade ago, construction began on the R-System. It was said to be used by Black Magic users." Another one explained.

"But all seven were destroyed!" A Council person barked. "That tower shouldn't be standing!"

Belno then brought up an image that was black and white, but was clearly showing the Tower of Heaven. "This was the last image we saw before our forces suddenly vanished." She explained.

"How did we miss such a thing? Is it complete?" Org asked.

"No word has gotten back, so even I have no word." She said.

Ultear then gazed at the image for a bit before answering. "Well it looks complete."

"Why would they revive the R-System? It doesn't make sense." A Council person asked.

Seigrain crossed his arms and looked down. "It's not the R-System, it's the Tower of Heaven." He clarified.

"Who cares?" Org said. "Forbidden Magic is used there. Chaos would go about if word got out about its existence!"

"I suggest we dispatch our military." Belno suggested.

Leiji denied this suggestion. "We don't even know who we're dealing with here. Dispatching our military will only put innocent soldiers in harm's way. I heard that the Black Magic no longer controls the tower, but a group of Wizards under the guidance of a man named Jellal."

The Council itself gasped at this information, as they have heard of this individual.

"Jellal?! Isn't he the name of your twin brother Seigrain?" Org asked.

Seigrain didn't say as he took a pause. "Sadly, yes. That's him."

With Natsu and co.

The small group had to use a small boat to get about across the sea as that was their only way of reaching the ship that took Erza, Happy, and Nic. They've been drifting for a short time now, but they were making their way for certain.

"…okay, I'll bite, where the hell are we?" Gray asked as birds sailed in the skies above.

"I don't know. We've been following Salamander's lead this whole time." Juvia explained.

Lucy turned towards Natsu. "Hey, can you get their scent from out here-?" She gawked when she found the Dragon Slayer having his usual motion sickness. Natsu was on the boat and was trying to hold in all of his sickness.

"You idiot, we need your sense of smell!" Gray scolded.

"How daring of you to disappoint my beloved with your sick behavior!" Juvia reprimanded.

Gray then turned away and groaned. "Man, we're pathetic. We got our asses handed to us and they took off with our friends with a clean getaway. Just how shameful can we get?"

"They were probably strong wizards if they were to beat her." Juvia said.

"What?! Erza didn't lose! You act like you know her but you don't!" Gray scolded.

Juvia panicked. "I'm sorry my beloved!"

Lucy looked down at her Fairy Tail mark and just gazed at it while the sun beamed down on the water. "Those guys who took Erza, Happy, and Nic, they said they were old friends of Erza's. Makes you think…if Juvia was right and we don't know her…"

Ntsu was feeling sick right now, but then some odd sensation spiked and he turned his head to the sides. Surprisingly, he had enough strength to stand, shocking everyone. "I just got a strange feeling." He announced.

Above them, they all saw the birds from above dying and falling into the water. There, they saw nothing but wreckage and dead fish to accommodate the death-like feeling.

"Look. That's wreckage of a Fiore Naval Ship." Gray analyzed parts of the wreck.

"Okay, I am officially horrified." Lucy proclaimed.

Still standing, Natsu turned his head and saw something large up ahead. "Hey, what's that?" He asked seriously. Everyone turned to see what was to be in front of them. It was a large tower that scaled up towards the skies. It was black with a decrepit outside and dark clouds all about.

"That must be…the Tower of Heaven." Lucy guessed with suspicion.

Juvia then created a seal over her. "I'll conceal us in my Water Dome." Juvia said. She then used the ocean water and create a massive blue dome of water as a use of camouflage.

"Thanks Juvia." Lucy said as they pressed onwards towards the tower.

With Erza and Nic

Erza looked on in shock as the once small structure was towering above her. She gasped. "The tower…it's been completed?!" She stated at the entrance.

"What do you expect?" Sho asked. "We've been working on it for almost ten years."

"So, it's been that long." Erza pondered. "It's wondrous how you've all changed too." She then looked over at Simon, who had Nic over his shoulder and still fairly unconscious. 'Nic, wake up soon.'

With Natsu and co.

"I can't take it!" Natsu blabbed out, his motion sickness now kicking back in after losing focus. They were so close to the tower and they had to use this to their advantage.

"Take it easy Natsu, we're almost there." Lucy informed.

Gray just groaned, fed up with this. "That tears it! Next time, we're knocking him out!"

With Erza and Nic

Erza and Nic were placed in a cell that was considered rusty. They were put in there as of recently and Simon was looking about while Sho was talking to Erza. Nic wasn't awake as of yet, but he should he coming around, hopefully.

"The ceremony will be tonight. You'll be here until then." Sho said.

Erza was in binds over her head and couldn't move her arms well. Nic was lying on the floor and still out.

'Ceremony?' she thought. 'They'll activate the R-System?!'

Sho bend towards his side and smirked. "This is what you get for betraying us."

Simon then decided that things were under control, so he took his leave and departed, leaving Sho all by himself.

"Jellal is making you a special honor Erza." He said, continuing.

Nic then started to slowly wince, but then slowly began opening his eyes. His back was turned, so the two didn't see him awaken slowly. Until the right time, he had to play possum. He continued listening his back turned and lying on the ground.

"You will be the sacrifice for tonight." Sho stated with a twisted face. Erza looked on with a serious face, trying not to panic. "It's sad we'll never see you again, but you're going to help us reach Heaven." Erza then slowly started to tremble a little, slipping her stoic self a little bit.

"Aw, is someone scared of being a sacrifice? You should be." Sho sneered. Nic had to hold in everything he had. This was just as tough as that time when Seigrain taunted Erza back at the trial. He had to hold it in, for he needed the element of surprise. It was tough, but he had to bare.

Sho then continued. "Doesn't this cell bring back memories? Remember? You got punished when I came up with the plan of making that big hole in the wall." He then looked out at the wall and there was indeed a large hole that a child could slip through. "I was too scared to say anything in defense…I'm sorry, it was my fault." He drooped his head, feeling guilty for that day.

Erza paused and spoke. "That's all history Sho. You guys need to know is how dangerous it is to resurrect someone with the R-System."

Sho smirked and shrugged. "Huh, didn't expect you to figure it out."

'R-System? This doesn't sound good.' Nic thought, still as quiet as can be.

"The Revive System. In exchange for numerous sacrifices, a single person is brought back from the dead. It's inhumane Sho, It's forbidden Black Magic!"

"Shut your mouth!" Sho scolded. "Who ever said Magic had to be humane to begin with? I say Magic wears away at humanity!" He had a creepy and sinister look on his face now.

"It's Black Magic philosophy. Don't tell me you're one of them." Erza said.

"Are you comparing us to those idiots? We've been enlightened by Jellal! He's the one who said that this tower will bring us to Heaven!" He turned and now his face was so dark that it wasn't even close to being funny. It could leave your spine crawling in so many ways that you could become immobile. Nic had to wait just a little longer.

Sho turned and started to walk a little. "Once we revive him, the world shall forever be reborn. And we shall become its rulers." Erza was beginning to boil up inside with the stuff Sho is saying. He's changed into something that truly disappointed her, and all she could do was stand there with her hands bind over her head while he continues talking. "The cult members that kept us prisoners all those years, the loved ones of the sister who betrayed us, the citizens who lived their ignorant lives, those fools on the Magic Council, we'll put fear in every last one of them all! They'll be stripped of their control and we'll be in charge! THEY WILL BOW BEFORE US!" Sho then did a maniacal laughter, of which Nic finally sprung from his still self.

'Now!' He shifted himself while Erza was trying to get down and Sho had his back turned. He was in running position and shifted into his Dread Plate. "Not today you ignorant punk!" Nic shouted as he zoomed into Sho just as we was turning around and used Pursuit, driving a quick knee into his side and slamming him into the iron prison bars. Sho gagged and he fell unconscious, dropping to the floor.

Nic turned back to see a very surprised Erza. Erza herself was more than shocked. For one thing, she was glad Nic was awake; secondly that he managed to get the upper hand so fast and strike so hard, even though Pursuit wasn't that strong. But overall, she was stunned.

"Nic, it's you. You're awake." Erza said, hiding a hint of relief. Nic walked over and helped Erza down. He grabbed her waist and she slowly was let down. Nic then had Erza hold out her wrists while he used Bite, with his canines glowing, and bit down on the rope, snapping it with very little effort. Erza shook her wrists and gazed back at Sho.

The two turned to see the unconscious Sho. Erza then saw the sweet innocent boy from ten years ago, now turned into this. Erza was trembling. She didn't know what to feel. She felt sad, upset, anger, rage, everything along those lines. Nic could tell Erza was having a hard time, but he didn't dare to say much but words of encouragement.

Nic turned towards Erza. "I don't know what this Jellal guy did, but we'll get to the bottom of this." He said. Erza slowly stopped her trembling and then requipped into her Heart Kreuz Armor with a fierce look swelling in her gaze.

"Jellal, you're gonna pay!" She announced.

Nic then turned towards the cell door. "…sorry I had to do that to him, but lives are at stake." He said with a small hint of guilt. "Now let's get moving!" The two then burst out of their cell and leaped onwards towards wherever they're suppose to be going.

With Happy

In the meantime, Happy finally emerged from his long sleep and woke to the view that almost freaked him out like there was no tomorrow. Cat themed stuff everywhere! Cat chandeliers, cat furniture, cat plushes just about everywhere you turned. Ironically, Happy wasn't feeling comfortable at all.

"What the?! I'm surrounded by cats!" Happy exclaimed. He looked around to see that he was unfamiliar with the location. "Where am I? This place is creeping me out."

He then turned his head and Millianna had just showed up. She was staring at Happy with glittering eyes.

"Meow." She said.

Happy completely flipped out. "A psycho cat girl!"

Millianna then leaned forward, not paying attention to what Happy had just said. "So, how are we feeling today?"

Happy looked on with a blank expression, but did answer her question. "Well I've been better."

Millianna gasped and constricted Happy in a hug and wailed about in sudden joy.

"Oh! I got a talking kitty!"

"Hey. Easy! You're gonna hug me to death!" Happy complained.

"Hey Milli, you'd best be taking it easy on him before you crush him and such." Wally said at the doorway. He had a finger on his cap and crossed his legs.

"Meow?"

Happy looked in shock to see that he recognized Wally. "It's you!" He yelled accusingly.

Millianna walked on over after she let go of Happy and was right next to Wally.

"Sure a talking feline is dandy, but you know what's dandier? A feline that can talk!" He said. Millianna clapped her hands in agreement.

"There's no difference!" Happy protested. Happy ran up to them with a look that showed he was not in the mood for humor or feline girls. "How did I get here? And what did you do to Natsu?"

Wally smirked and pointed at Happy. "Keep your mouth at bay cat, or you'll end up sleeping with your little pink friend.

Happy recoiled as he was startled by not only his threat, but the mentioning of Natsu's downfall. Happy paused and looked at his paws. "There's no way Natsu could've lost."

Two guards then approached Wally and Millianna from behind. The way they ran up to them was a sign that meant trouble went down.

They stood at attention. "We've got a problem!"

"Erza Scarlet and Nic Pularis have both escaped their cell!" The other guard said. Both turned in shock at this development.

"Meow! That's Erzy for ya!" Millianna said, rather amused.

Wally tipped his hat. "She ain't escaping this time, and her friend that gave us a beating wil just have to deal with us." Wally said.

The guards then turned to allow them through. "Please follow us." They said. With a situation bearing down on them, Wally and Millianna both exited the room and dashed off, leaving Happy all by himself.

Happy was left pondering in that one spot while the two fled and ran off to stop Erza and Nic. "So, Erza and Nic are both here as well." Happy said. "I wonder about the others as well?"

Era Magic Council

The Council was just throwing about ideas as to how the situation should be taken care of. They all couldn't seem to agree with the other and conflicts were going about.

"We have to stop Jellal here and now!" Michello advised.

"We need to get information and intel!" Leiji advised.

"Send in the military at once!" Belno advised.

All of them couldn't exactly agree or listen to what the other had to say, not until Seigrain spoke.

"You blind fools! None of those tactics will do any good whatsoever." Seigrain said. Org was shocked to hear him say such sully things.

"Seigrain!" Org reprimanded.

"You dare mock us?" Belno reprimanded.

Seigrain paid no heed as he had his own idea, though it wasn't exactly subtle. "Listen to me, all of you. It's classified as murder to send in hundreds of innocent soldiers when the odds aren't in our favor. Only fools would do so. I'm telling you all it's far too dangerous!"

Org studied Seigrain, seeing where he was going with this. "Then what is it that you propose?"

Seigrain crossed his arms and took a brief pause to gather his wording. "This situation is beyond measurement and could lead to drastic consequences if resolved carelessly. If we want to stop Jellal and destroy the Tower of Heaven, we'll have to resort to the only thing that can do such a thing – Etherion." Siegrain explained.

The Council members all were surprised and stunned to hear such a drastic decision coming from Seigrain.

"Are you insane?!" Org shouted.

"That's heavily destructive Magic you're talking about!" Michello shouted.

"There's no way we can uphold such a power! It's only meant as a last resort! It's far more lethal than the R-System itself!" Belno protested.

"That weapon can obliterate an entire nation Seigrain!" Leiji scolded.

Seigrain understood completely, but he had to persuade them in some way possible. "Just hear me for a minute. The satellite can pinpoint any target within the region. If we focus solemnly on the tower, we can cause less extensive damage and be rid of the tower itself." His side of the argument did seem somewhat reasonable, but still wasn't enough.

Still, Ultear easily went along with Seiigrain's suggestion of using Etherion. She raised her hand in favor. "I vote we proceed with the use of Etherion." Ultear announced. Org turned with a displeased and shocked expression.

"Ultear, seriously?!" Org reprimanded.

"Three more votes will give us the majority to fire." Seigrain said. "But we can't wait around, we cannot allow contemplation to uphold our resolutions forever. Time is not on our side here. I implore that you all vote in favor with me on this one. We cannot allow Jellal to push any more boundaries than he already has and activate the Tower of Heaven! The danger is too great to even fathom!"

"But the Etherion blast has dire consequences. It will not only destroy the tower, but it will no doubt kill your brother." Org notified.

Seigrain looked down and seemed rather discontent with this news. "I realize that, but my brother and I have chosen two separate paths. I didn't want to end up killing him, but he's brought this upon himself. There's no justice on the side he's on." He said with discontent in his voice. "It's a sacrifice for the greater good in this world."

With Nic and Erza

The two angry individuals stormed through the hall and towards the outside after they viciously incapacitated some of the guards inside the tower. Erza was running, but Nic was tagging along with her.

When they turned towards the outside staircase, there were four guards in all with one monster with large protruding canines and a spiked collar.

"Hey, stop them!" The guard closest to them shouted, but he was easily silenced when Nic flashed into his Zap Plate and used Spark with such accuracy that his mask cracked and he fell on the step.

The beast barked heinously and began to charge at them. Nic had no time to play with a mutt from the depths of evil and he punched straight down on its head with a Thunder Punch. The beast slammed into the stairs and was out cold. Erza slipped past him and slashed at two other guards ahead. One landed on top of the beast and the other fell back against the tower wall.

The last guard himself was trying to get away, but Nic aimed an Electro Ball ahead and intercepted him, forcing him to stop and allow Erza to back him up against the tower wall and point a sword at his throat. The guard shuddered as he was effortlessly cornered and the mighty Titania and Luminous were giving him death-like expressions. It was clear they weren't going to take 'no' for an answer. Nic was encased in electricity and ready to strike when the situation called for it if he denied them their answer.

"Talk! Where is Jellal?!" Erza demanded.

Meanwhile, at the top…

In a spacious room, there was a rather large centerpiece that was crystal blue lacrima. The floor ladder piece that connected to the center was joined to the thrown. The thrown itself was very large and extremely tall with a hooded figure sitting on it. He was with blue hair and a red tattoo plastered on his face such as Seigrain was.

Jellal sat on his thrown and laughed about while looking through the lacrima and seeing an image of Erza and Nic both dashing through the tower with such determination.

"Master Jellal?" Vidaldus asked. Vidaldus was a mildly muscular being of average height and had long black hair that went down to his feet. He had a large hooked nose and rather hairy eyebrows that pointe upwards like spikes. He had on a sleeved shirt that was paired with plain armbands, pants, gloves, and shoes.

Jellal paid no heed as he continued to watch the screen. "Erza has grown into quite the young woman I see. I have to admit, I'm impressed. I'm also quite confound by her little accomplice Nic Pularis. His power is quite remarkable by itself. The mighty Titania and Luminous making their way. I'm rather anxious to see how this all plays out."

He then lowered his head and smirked with such confidence. "I wonder as to who will prevail in this fight. Will it be me or those two? We shall have ourselves a little game that tells of one's past and future, life and death. We shall see who wins this game once and for all..."